TheProgramme to prepare the children for the Sacrament of Comfirmation will begin in June. To have your child participate in the program, you must attend one of the parent information sessions. The dates for these sessions, along with the other dates for the program can be downloaded from the link at the bottom of this page.

The Sacrament of Confirmation confirms membership in the Christian community and seals Baptism with an anointing. Confirmation consists of a prayer to the Holy Spirit, the laying on of hands while the prayer is said and the anointing of the candidate with oil of Chrism.

The Church teaches that Confirmation confirms Baptism and is the second formal step in the process of becoming initiated into the Christian community. Confirmation is an invitation to each one of us to renew the Baptismal promises first made on our behalf by our parents and godparents when we were baptised. This process invites us into a deeper way of relating to God, to Jesus and to one another, and to becoming more actively involved in the life of the community through the on-going presence of the Holy Spirit.

Initiation into the Christian community means becoming a part of the life and work of the community: gathering to celebrate Eucharist, to listen to word of God, to pray together and to share in the care for the poor.

The story of Pentecost shows us how the disciples, gathered together in fear but also to support one another, came to an understanding that Jesus’ Spirit was with them and gave them the power and courage to go out and spread the good news about Jesus to the whole world.

The anointing of the candidate at Confirmation is a sign of confirming the gift of the Spirit, and calling the candidates to become involved in the life and mission of the community. The ceremony is presided over by the Most Reverend Bishop Peter Comensoli, Bishop of Broken Bay Diocese.

Your child will need to choose a Confirmation name which is a Saint's name. This name should be one of significance for them, one that they relate to easily. Confirmation confirms your child’s baptism, so they can be confirmed in their own, baptismal name (Christian name) if it is a Saint’s name. We encourage you to spend time researching the Saints with your child and helping them to make an informed decision.

Your child will also need to choose a Confirmation sponsor. The role of the sponsor is to provide a good model of Christian living, helping the child to live a life of faith according to gospel values. The sponsor then, is someone who has a close relationship with the child and will most likely continue to have such a friendship with them as they continue to grow and learn. Children are encouraged to consider choosing one of their Baptismal Godparents. This links the initial Sacrament of Baptism with Confirmation, and re-affirms the role that Godparents accepted at Baptism. There are certain requirements for a person to be a sponsor. The sponsor must be a Baptised Catholic who has been Confirmed and received Eucharist; be a person who will be a good example to the child being confirmed; be at least 16 years of age; be practicing their faith and ideally, is available to attend the Confirmation ceremony. A parent cannot be sponsor for Confirmation.

Jesus said: ‘The Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the spirit to take my place.

The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you.’ John 14:26

Some information has been taken from

Horan, Kathy (2009) Confirmation, A practical workbook for parents and children